At a very young age, Helio Gracie learned traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques
from his older brother, Carlos. In the late 1920s, he began to modify these techniques
to accommodate his frail physique with the objective of developing a system that
would enable him to defend himself against larger opponents. After years of refinement,
he proved his art's effectiveness by routinely defeating larger and stronger
opponents, some of whom outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds. As a result, Helio's
techniques quickly became the new expression of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil and set the
stage for a worldwide revolution in martial arts.

Although Gracie or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective martial art on the planet,
it is a relatively young martial art. Realizing that the key to global dissemination
of pure Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was the development of a formalized curriculum, the Gracie
Academy dedicated several years to organizing all the techniques in the most logical
sequence based on their complexity and usefulness in combat. Furthermore, we conduct
all group classes with the utmost concern for safety, and we demand that all students
treat each other respectfully regardless of skill level, gender, race, nationality,
or creed. At the Gracie Academy we don't teach people how to fight. We give people
confidence so they don't need to fight.

Gracie Combatives is the official beginner program of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. In this program, students learn the 36 most important techniques in a fun, safe, and cooperative training environment.

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life. The principles of discipline, patience, efficiency, and control are the keys to success on and off the mat. Whether your a dedicated practitioner of the art or just a fan of the Gracie way, the casual wear, training gear, and accessories in the Gracie Store will remind you to keep it real at all times. With all Gracie Store purchases, your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you're not 100% happy with your purchase, simply send it back and we'll replace it or refund your money (as long as you promise not to choke us out!). Select a category below to begin browsing, and then feel free to order online or give us a call at 1-877-472-2430 (Monday - Friday, 10am to 6pm PST) and we will gladly assist you over the phone. If you have a question about the status of your order feel free to shoot us an e-mail at
store@gracieacademy.com.

Gracie News

Jiu-Jitsu Heaven Vacation Contest Update

November 29, 2012

Tell your jiu-jitsu story and win the trip of a lifetime!

Has Gracie Jiu-Jitsu changed your life? If so, tell us your story and you could win an all-expense paid trip to Jiu-Jitsu Heaven for one week of group and private training with the Gracie Family! Here are some of the jiu-jitsu stories that have been submitted thus far:

1 Tell us your jiu-jitsu story on videoWe want to know exactly how Gracie Jiu-Jitsu changed your life. Please include the following topics in your video: 1) What motivated you to start training GJJ? 2) Where and with whom do you train currently (explain your routine)? 3) How has GJJ changed you (what are the greatest benefits thus far)? 4) What would you say to people out there who don't think they are athletic enough or young enough to embark on the jiu-jitsu journey? 5) What, if any, road blocks did you experience that almost derailed your jiu-jitsu progress (how did you overcome)? 6)What's your final goal on the jiu-jitsu journey (black belt? become an instructor? lose weight? etc.)

2 Upload the video to YouTube by December 31, 2012When recording your jiu-jitsu story feel free to use any digital camera, including a smartphone or tablet. Be sure to have the camera on a tripod or propped up on a steady surface to avoid unnecessary movement. Make sure you are sitting/standing close to the camera (so that only the upper half of your body is in the frame), and that your face is well lit. Record your video in a quite area to minimize background noise. There is no particular time limit for the videos, we're more concerned with the content of the message. Upload the video to YouTube on or before December 31, 2012 with the title: How Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Changed My Life (First and Last Name). Once uploaded, send the YouTube video link to info@gracieacademy.com with the Subject: Jiu-Jitsu Heaven Contest and we'll take it from there.

3 Win a trip to Jiu-Jitsu Heaven!Ryron and Rener will look through all the videos and select their favorite based on the realness of the story and the passion of the presentation. The winning video will be announced on January 31, and if yours is the chosen one, you will win the all expense paid trip (airfare, hotel, ground transportation and training) to Jiu-Jitsu Heaven for one week of group and private training with the Gracie family (We'll even include a brand new Pearl Weave Gracie Gi so you can train in style).

In order to enter the contest, you must be at least 18 years of age, and you must be an online student through Gracie University (or DVDs), OR an active student at any jiu-jitsu school.

Bottom line, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu changes lives and there is nothing like a good testimonial to help get someone off the fence and onto the mat. Not only will your jiu-jitsu story help us understand the impact that our efforts are having around the world, but more importantly, they may very well inspire a random YouTube viewer from somewhere around the world to embark on their own jiu-jitsu journey.

If you have any questions about the contest rules, please send an email to info@gracieacademy.com. We can't wait to hear your jiu-jitsu stories and share them with the rest of the world!